Effective Tuesday, a nonprofit ambulance service in York is expanding, but the board of directors said people won't notice a difference.

York Ambulance Association answers emergency calls for all residents, but if you're a member, it covers what your insurance doesn't.

Now the service will be transporting an helping people in South Berick and Rollingsford, New Hamsphire.

"Ninty percent of the time we're there in less than 10 minutes. And we cover a pretty large area here in York," said Mary Andrews, president of YAA.

Andrews has been part of the association since the beginning, back when they had a second-hand ambulance in her front yard and a goal to get people the best help there is, as fast as possible.

"These guys are the doctors in the field. They can intubate. They can give medicine working under the jurisdiction of a doctor at a hospital," said Andrews.

YAA has come a long way since the 1970s.

Now it's expanding to two other communities.

South Berwick Rescue ran into budget trouble after federal cuts.

"The struggle was if we couldn't get someone to take over South Berwick rescue, then we were going to have to go to a larger ambulance service in the area and not have 24/7 coverage," said Perry Ellsworth, South Berwick town manager.

So, YAA bought its ambulance and hired crews for a three-year contract.

Rollinsford, New Hampshire signed for one year.

Andrews said people in all three towns won't notice a change in the service.

"The residents of York will see no change and south Berwick will see the same people coming. We hope to improve and enlarge their service," Andrews told WMTW News 8.

South Berwick's town manager believes this was the best way to keep that hometown service feel.

Another perk for all three towns? YAA gives emergency rides in ambulances to residents for free. Something you'd usually pay quite a bit of money for with or without insurance.

"We're really excited because we're able to keep an ambulance service here in South Berwick, in the same garage with the same people," said Ellsworth

Andrews said the nonprofit has huge goals in mind, even still past this expansion and they hope to get a wheelchair accessible van in the future.